Implement for applying and removing can-stoppers.



P. WBSTERB EGK. IMPLEMENT FOR APPLYING AND REMOVING (JAN STOPPERS. APPLICATION FILED JULY 10,1908.

913,336. Patented Feb. 23, 1909.

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FREDERICK WESTERBEOK, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI.

IMPLEMENT FOR APPLYING AND REMOVING CAN-STOPPERS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 23, 1909.

Application filed July 10, 1908. Serial No. 442,856.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FREDERICK VVESTER- BECK, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at the city of St. Louis, in the State of Missouri, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Implements for Applying and Removing Can-Stoppers, of W 'ch the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification.

My invention relates to an implement for use in applying and removing stoppers of sheet metal cans and it has for its object the production of a device of this description by which the stoppers may be efficiently gripped in tightening them upon the threaded necks of the cans or in removing them from such necks without injury to the stoppers.

Figure I is a top or plan view of my implement shown in position for service upon a can stopper. Fig II is a longitudinal section taken on line IIII, Fig. I. Fig. III is an enlarged inverted View of the implement.

Fig. IV is a cross section taken on line IV IV, Fig. III in the position shown in Figs. I and II.

In the accompanying drawings: 1 designates one of the jaws of my implement which is provided with a handle 2 and 3 is the other jaw provided with a handle 4 and hinged to the jaw 1 at 5. The aw 3 is movable relative to the jaw 1 and is normally held separated therefrom by an expansion spring 6.

1 and 3 are gripping members of segmental shape which are mounted respectivelyin the jaws 1 and 3 so that they oppose each other. These gripping members are serrated at their inner faces and they are adapted to be introduced into the aws from the upper or back sides of the jaws and are rabbeted at their inner edges so as to rest upon ledges 1 and 3 respectively extending inwardly from the jaws, as seen in full lines Fig. IV and in dotted lines Fig. III. To prevent lateral movement of the gripping members in the jaws, I provide at the inner and outer ends of the jaws, lugs 1 and 3, see Fig. III.

7 designates a cap plate that is secured removably, independent of the pivot 5, to the jaw 1 by suitable means, such as screws 8, see Fig. I, and which serves to close the space between the jaws at the top of the implement. This cap plate is provided wit a slot 9 that receives a pin 10 carried by the movable jaw 3 and which, by operating in the plate, serves to restrict the degree of outward movement of the aw 3 relative to the aw 1, in order that the spring 6 between the jaws may be retained in its proper position. The cap plate in addition to the service mentioned also serves as a means for confining the gripping members 1 and .3 in the jaws of the implement after they have been introduced thereinto and further as a means for limiting the degree of downward movement of the implement when it is applied to the stopper of a can for the purpose of applying the stopper to or removing it from the can.

The gripping members 1 and 3 of my implement are loosely seated in their respective jaws in order that they may be removed from the im lement and other gripping members either arger or smaller 1n size substituted for those previously used, whereby the implement may be made serviceable in connection with can stoppers of various sizes. The changing of the gripping members is readily accomplished upon the removal of the cap plate 7.

In the practical use of my implement, the implement is fitted to the stopper of a can as illustrated in Figs. I and II, so that the cap plate 7 will rest upon the stopper and the jaws of the implement are moved toward each other in order that the grip )ing mem bers therein will tightly grip t 1e stopper after which either the implement or the can is turned with the result of causing the stopper to be tightly secured onto the neck of the can or removed therefrom, according to the service desired.

I claim 1. In an implement of the character described, the combination with a pair of jaws having handles and hinged to each other, removable gripping members in said jaws, and a cap plate for confining said gripping members; said cap plate being secured to one of said aws and having slot and pin connection with the other jaw, substantially as set forth.

2. In an implement of the character described, the combination of a pair of jaws having handles and hinged to each other, griplping members detachably mounted in saic jaws and adapted to be removed from the jaws in a direction transversely of the jaws, and a cap late carried by one of said jaws whereby sai gripping members are confined in the jaws, substantially as set forth.

3. I11 an implement of the character dea, cap piate carried by one of said jaws Wherescribed, the combination of a pair of jaws by the gripping members are confined in 10 having handles and hinged to each other, the jaws.

gripping members having rabbeted inner i edges and detachably mounted in said jaws, FREDERICK WDSTERBEOK' the ja ws being each provided at a side there- In the presence of of with a ledge 11 on which the gripping H. G. COOK,

member correspon 11g to the jaw rests, and BLANCHE HOGAN. 

